Minister of Safety and Public Services, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to advise the honourable Member that the chief safety officer is conducting the investigation according to the legislative authority he has. As Minister, I believe it is none of my business to intervene at this particular juncture. I've been asked to ensure that the responsibility that has been assigned is carried out accordingly and, to date, there has been no involvement on the part of any of the political leaders to deter or affect the investigation being conducted.

Thank you, Minister Nerysoo. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to indicate to the honourable Member that there has been no suggestion of a time limit for the investigation. It is my belief that the chief safety officer has to assume the responsibility for investigating thoroughly the issues related to the concerns raised. Once that is done, obviously, the chief safety officer will file the report and advise us accordingly.

supplementary, Mr. Whitford; or are you finished?

Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Government House Leader, who is the acting Premier today. Thank you.

The question is to Mr. Pollard. Who is the acting Premier today?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, there is no acting Premier today. The Prime Minister was here on the weekend, as everybody knows. The Premier went to visit him. She is still in the Northwest Territories, we're still in contact with her, so there is no need to appoint anybody. I merely will be taking questions for her if there are any questions directed at her. Thank you.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I'm interested in knowing where Mr. Todd was on Friday. I know he was in Rankin, but I would like to know what types of meetings he attended in Rankin. Thank you.

I would like to rule that question ... Maybe you could rephrase it, because it's not a supplementary to your first question about who the acting Premier is. Maybe you could rephrase it so it would be in order.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, I understand that, so I'll put you down on my list. I have to go to another Member for a first question. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 16th, I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services about the status of the Metis health benefits. The Minister, at the time, indicated that it was still under review. I understand that the issue is more than under review; that they're trying to negotiate the terms of the program. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if an agreement has been reached with the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories on the Metis health benefits?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no, I don't believe an arrangement has been concluded between the Department of Health and the Metis Nation. However, there has been an agreement between

myself and Mr. Bohnet that the Metis health benefits will be retroactive to the date of assent of the budget bill that passed through here in late April, I believe around the 26th or 27th of April, Mr. Speaker. I did that last week in order to take pressure off of both sides who were trying to get this deal together. I wanted them to have some assurance that they didn't have to rush the process through, because I would like it to be fair to both sides and I would also like it to be an economic arrangement, as well. So that's the latest, and the department will continue to discuss this issue with the Metis Nation and, hopefully, they'll conclude a soon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. One of the contentious issues, I understand, is the issue of when the benefits are going to come into effect. Has any arrangement or agreement been made as to what date the Metis benefits will come into effect?

Thank you. Mr. Pollard.

Mr. Speaker, assuming an agreement can be reached some time this fiscal year, it will be retroactive to the date of assent of the budget that went through here in April, and I think that date is around the 26th or 27th of April. So if an arrangement is made, it will be retroactive to that particular date, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pollard. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.